[sci.space.shuttle] getting VIP passes to launch?

eric@cbmvax.commodore.com (Eric Cotton) (02/02/90)

In article <9090003@hp-lsd.COS.HP.COM> paulc@hp-lsd.COS.HP.COM (Paul Carroll) writes:
>
>	I was thinking about going to a shuttle launch (hopefully
>	the Hubble launch in April) and wanted a good
>	strategy for getting a good view of the launch.  An article
>	in the local paper seemed to indicate that it might be
>	possible to get passes to the VIP viewing area from
>	a senator or possibly a congressman, although this
>	might be limited to handicapped people needing special
>	access to the launch.  Has anyone tried this route?
>	Is it a reasonable thing to even try?  Or can these
>	passes be obtained through some other route, such as
>	through KSC?
>
>	Also, if the VIP viewing area is out, where is the best
>	public viewing area for a launch?  I expect the best
>	view would be to the North or South, rather than looking
>	East towards a sunrise.

Last fall I contacted my congressman's office in an effort to acquire
a VIP pass to a launch.  I was told that VIP passes can only be issued
to senators, congressmen, the President and visiting dignitaries.
I was, however, able to get a car pass which would have allowed me onto
the cape (close that casual viewers but not as close as VIPs).  Alas, the
launch I was to attend was postponed so I didn't see the launch :-(
-- 
Eric Cotton
Commodore-Amiga                                               (215) 431-9100
1200 Wilson Drive                        {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!eric
West Chester, PA 19380            "I don't find this stuff amusing anymore."